Optimising grids economically

The MONA 2030 project is aimed at providing a system-wide comparison of grid-optimising measures. This comparison is intended to make a significant contribution to predictive grid planning that correspondingly takes into account the different facets of the energy generation.

An important aspect in this regard is the increasing amount of renewable energies that are being fed into the transmission and distribution grids. MONA is focussing on using different measures as economically as possible for optimising the grid. Two questions are being focussed on in particular:

Which technical possibilities are provided by different measures and technologies for relieving the grid and reducing the need to expand it?

Which of these measures will sustainably reduce the costs and complexity of the grid expansion?

As a result, the developers therefore want to create a merit order of grid-optimising measures in accordance with the scenarios and corresponding grid types, whereby they want to compare the individual results generated and thus provide conclusions and recommendations for the overall system. The project consists of four work packages:

Scenario analysis - The project partners are developing different scenarios to provide a foundation for the long-term planning horizon for the grid’s expansion and operation as well as for making investment decisions. These scenarios provide the framework for developing the merit order. For this reason the developers are not relying on existing energy scenarios but are developing them specifically for the purpose of the project – namely the system-wide comparison of grid optimising measures.

Basic data - In order to provide a common basis for evaluating the grid-relieving measures despite the diverse grid and supply structures, network types shall be classified and regional load and generation processes and profiles determined.

Comparison of grid-optimising measures - In order to provide a decision-making basis for affected stakeholders such as utilities and grid operators, the developers want to scientifically analyse, provide practice-based support and subsequently compare new possibilities for relieving the grid. The term "grid-optimising measure" here refers to all operational, technical and regulatory measures that can be drawn upon to optimise the grid expansion.

Creation of the merit order - Taking into account all relevant measures for relieving the grid, these measures must be used efficiently and cost-effectively with the aim of achieving predictive, holistic grid planning. The aim is to provide a corresponding basis for assessment that is transferable and scalable so that recommendations for action can be derived for holistic grid planning throughout Germany.

The project team under Professor Wolfgang Mauch are faced with diverse challenges: these include uncertainties regarding the future framework conditions but also the fact that no system-wide database exists as a basis for assessing measures. There are still a diverse range of measures that need to be classified and made comparable, whereby there are still no guidelines available for comparing and determining the system-wide benefits.

The project timeframe in detail

The project is running from 1 October 2014 to 30 September 2017. The scenario analysis will be processed within a timeframe of about one and a half years, as will be the Basic Data work package. The measures are scheduled to be classified in about two years. The Merit Order work package is scheduled to cover the entire project period of three years.